sprite writes
broodings from the burrow

October 15, 2008


liberty and justice for all, not just for some
posted by soe 8:41 am

I was proud and delighted to be home in Connecticut on Friday when the State Supreme Court handed down its decision saying that marriage is a right for all consenting adult couples. This is an issue that’s dear to Rudi’s and my hearts, and we look forward to the day when this simple human right is recognized as the law of the land and not just certain individual states.

California, one of three forward-thinking states that acknowledge the equal rights of same sex couples, has a ballot initiative on its ballot in November that seeks to introduce discrimination into its laws. Proposition 8 has been spun by its proponents as a helpful initiative to save nonprofit and religious organizations from being forced to part ways with their mission statements. Since no one can force any church to marry any couple — gay or straight — this just doesn’t hold much water. Nor does the concern that the flood of people rushing to marry will bankrupt state, local, or federal coffers. I mean, really, it would be far more helpful, if that’s your fear, to forbid rights to large corporate CEOs.

If you live in California, I ask you not to deny my brother, my best friend, and many other law-abiding, tax-paying citizens rights that you and I have the blessing of being able to take for granted. If you live elsewhere, but have the ear of those who will be voting on this issue November 4th, please talk to them. There’s a lot of misinformation out there and it would be easy to be confused about what the ballot initiative actually stands for. Please vote No on California Proposition 8 to keep human rights a priority in one of our largest states.

Category: gay rights,politics. There is/are 4 Comments.



I wholeheartedly agree. I was so happy to hear that a cousin of mine was finally able to marry her partner of about 30 years this past August. I was a little sad that they had to go all the way to Massuchusetts and couldn’t be married in NY where they live. I suppose that it’s progress though.

Comment by Hillary 10.15.08 @ 9:51 am

Everyone deserves the right to marry. But I wonder how long until some one challenges this though.

Comment by Mia 10.15.08 @ 3:15 pm

Thank you for posting this.

The scary truth is that the Yes-folks are getting lots of contributions. Over 40 percent of their funds has come from the Mormon church. Lots of money has come in from non-California residents. Over 60,000 people have donated to the Yes campaign to write discrimination into the CA state constitution, while only 30,000 people have donated to the No side.

That’s just not going to be good enough.

The more money, the more they show their ads on TV. If the two sides had equal air time, chances are good that equality would win out. But with them showing their lies – and yes, they use lies, misinformation, and children to swing the vote their way – the proposition is likely to pass.

If you can donate, go to http://www.noonprop8.com – the way this election goes will set the tone for the rest of the nation, either way. You don’t have to live in California to give. We need everyone to help this fight.

Comment by Grey Kitten 10.16.08 @ 2:28 am

In response to Mia, the challenge in CT has already started. Question 1 on the ballot for CT is a trap. The question seems innocuous enough: “Shall there be a Constitutional Convention to amend or revise the Constitution of the state?” But what happens if there IS a convention?

Here’s what http://ctvoteno.org/home has to say about it.

“Holding a convention in Hartford isn’t change, it’s politics as usual. State legislators decide who goes to the convention, not the taxpayers. It will be a convention of lobbyists, politicians and special interests.

The public has no say on what the lobbyists propose to do to the constitution. The political group pushing for the convention will use it to ban marriage for gay people, outlaw abortion and take away people’s rights. Big businesses will use it to give themselves special tax breaks, overturn environmental laws and take away workers’ rights and benefits.

So vote no on the Lobbyist Convention – and vote for leaders who will bring us real change.”

Comment by Grey Kitten 10.21.08 @ 1:41 am